One of the best perks about writing blogs and covering Disney Press events, for me at least, is the wonderful friends I have made over the past 10 years. They run the gamut from Cast Members, Podcasters, Webmasters, Bloggers and the like. I also count among the crowd, many well-known Disney luminaries. One of my favorite and cherished friends is none other than Jim Korkis, internationally known Disney Historian, writer and anything else Disney. Here is a man, who just by the mention of a Disney name, object or character can immediately begin, without crib sheets or smart phone, tell amazing facts, figures and history of said subject. And he tells his tales in a prose no storyteller can ape. (With the exception of Walt Disney!). I often meet with Jim at the parks for two of our favorite activities…Lunch and talking Disney. Today, after a nice Cobb salad at the Brown Derby, we sat by Echo Lake. Of course, when we began discussing the recent removal of the Sorcerers’ Hat, Jim began on cue with an amazing story of Echo Lake. So enjoy this tale of the past, present and possible future of the Studios most overlooked areas, Jim Korkis style… Read More...

There is perhaps no name on earth that when invoked can release a flood of emotions and memories then that of Walter Elias Disney. Ask anyone what Disney means to them, and the majority will say…Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck, and for most today, Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Cruise lines and Time shares. But to anyone lucky enough to be a member of the “Baby Boomer” crowd, the Mickey Mouse Club will command center stage. This children’s variety show was Walt’s second foray into a television series, the first being “Disneyland” later retitled the “Walt Disney anthology television series”. Both shows were used to showcase the new “Disneyland” park being built and to promote and finance the construction of the park. The show left an indelible mark on the world and the parents and kids who watched it religiously for its original run, 1955-1959. Read More...

As the first of two planned parking garages for Downtown Disney, the Orange Garage at West Side opened late last year and continues to introduce enhancements to surprise and delight guests. Read More...

Starting May 14, we will release the first Disney Park Pack – Trading Edition on the Disney Parks online store. This Online exclusive box of pins includes a limited edition 500 pin that is only available in the Disney Park Pack, as well as two open edition pins guests will receive before they are available in locations at Disney Parks. Read More...

This week Oriental Land Company announced several new themes that are in development at Tokyo Disney Resort. The eighth port currently in development at Tokyo DisneySea Park will feature elements inspired by Scandinavia, and a portion of that area will be themed to Disney’s blockbuster animated film Frozen. Two themed areas are also in development at Tokyo Disneyland’s Fantasyland: One is inspired by Disney’s animated film Beauty and the Beast while the other is themed to Alice in Wonderland. The new development is a result of the shared vision and strong partnership between Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and Oriental Land Company that has been cultivated over the last few years to chart a course for the resort’s future. Read More...

From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s “Tomorrowland,” a riveting mystery adventure starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever. Read More...